London - Feb 2026 (BQ)

Tom was on a mission — an appointment with the photographic archives at the V&A in Kensington (I’m sure all will be revealed in Tom partner blog). I decided to tag along, partly for the company and partly for another attempt at street photography in London, a city that never disappoints — especially when it comes to weather.

Albert Hall

I travelled light: one camera, one fixed lens — my “mono-only” setup. This turned out to be excellent judgement, although mostly by accident. The weather alternated between steady rain and an impressive shade of grey that photographers politely describe as “challenging.” Black and white photography quickly became less of an artistic decision and more a survival strategy.

Travelling light also helped when we reached the hotel. Our room was on the fourth floor, accessed via seven flights of stairs and no lift. By the time we arrived at the top, we felt we knew the building rather well. Still, it was cheap, cheerful, and close enough to the V&A to justify the climb — at least that’s what we told ourselves.

A reflection of St Pauls Cathedral from One New Change

Day one took us around the streets near St Paul’s before crossing the Thames to Borough Market, navigating crowds, umbrellas and food stalls that smelled considerably better than we probably looked after a damp afternoon. As evening arrived, we tried some night photography in South Kensington, where the wet streets kindly provided reflections everywhere — proof that rain occasionally has its uses.

Barber Shop South Kensington

Hat Shop in Borough Yards

Wet Streets at night South Kensington

Day two saw Tom disappear into the V&A while I wandered through the mews behind the museum, past the Albert Hall and into Hyde Park. The light remained stubbornly flat, but sometimes that simply encourages you to look a bit harder. I was quietly pleased with what I captured, even if my legs were beginning to question my life choices. When we met up again, I was thoroughly knackered, while Tom was understandably delighted after seeing — and even touching — work by Alfred Stieglitz, which is about as close to celebrity contact as photographers tend to get.

Outside Borough Market

The V&A Courtyard

There was just enough time for a final wander through a busy Covent Garden, a restorative coffee in the crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields, and then on to Euston for the journey home — tired, slightly damp, and reassured that travelling light had been an excellent idea all along.

One New Change Basement Stairs

Covent Garden